Electrically-heated radiator



Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,495

E. B. LENNIG ELEGTRICALLY HEATED RADIATOR Original Filed Aug 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN EYS.

Mar. 3, 1925.

E. B. LENNIG ELECTRICALLY HEATED RADIATOR Original Filed Aug. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @N NTO R:

ATTORNEYS.

Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,495

E. B. LENNIG ELECTRI CALLY HEATED RADIATOR Original Filed Aug. 2 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 VE TOR NTOB: fi

TTORNEYS.

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Patented Mar. 3, 1 92 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND B. LENNIG, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T ELECTRIC RADI- ATOR 6a ENGINEERING 00., HQ, OF RAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED RADIATOR.

Original application filed August 25, 1922, Serial No. 584,176. Divided and this application filed J'uly 27%.1923. Serial No. 654,066. To all whom it may concern." communication with the liquid in the radia- Be it known that I, EDMUND B. LENNIG, tor automatically to control the energizing a citizen of the United States, residing at and de-energizing of the heating coils sub- San Francisco, county of San Francisco, merged in the liquid. 55

State of California, have invented a new My invention further; consists of a novel and useful Electrically-Heated Radiator, of electric radiator in which are employed which the following is a specification. heating coils in electric circuit and thermal This present invention is a division of my communication with a thermostatic device, prior application for patent for electric in conjunction with means in said electric 60 1Q radiators, filed August 25th, 1922, under circuit at any desired location for auto Serial No. 584,176, and relates more espematically controlling the operation of the cially to the electrically heated radiator electric radiator. aside from its combination with a thermo- Another object of my invention is'to destatic switch. A vise an electric radiator in which a storage 65 My invention relates. to a novel construcof heat or latent heat is obtained by means tion and arrangement of an electric radiaof clay products such as marbles or the tor, wherefrom a maximum amount of heat like. with a minimum amount of electric current Other novel features of construction and is obtained, novel means being provided auadvantage will hereinafter more clearly ap- 7 tomatically to store heat or to provide latent pear in the detailed description of my inheat. vention.

A. further object of my invention is the For the purpose of illustrating my inprovision of novel means to simplify the Vention, I have shown in the accompanying replacement of one or all of the electric drawings certain forms thereof which are 75 1 at present preferred by me, since the same A further object of my invention is the will give in practice satisfactory and reprovision of novel means automatically to liable results, although it is to be understood control an electric radiator employing therthat the various instrumentalities of which mostatic means in thermal communication my invention consists may be variously arwith the radiator. ranged and organized and that my inven- My invention further consists of a novel tion 1s not limited to the precise arrangeelectric radiator, wherein a plurality of ment and organization of these instrumenheating coils are submerged in the liquid tahties as herein shown and described. contained in the radiator, means being pro- Flgure 1 represents a perspective view of 85 vided for simultaneously energizing said n electric radiator, embodying my inven coils to effect the heating of said liquid to a t-ion. predetermined maximum temperature, and Figure 2 represents a front elevation. of .for automatically de-energizing certain of F1 re 1.

said coils as the temperature increases to a igure 3 represents an end elevation of 90 maximum, means being further provided the left-hand end of the radiator seen in for intermittently energizing and de-energiz- F1 re 2- i ing the heating coils to maintain a substanigure 4 represents an end elevation of tially constant maximum temperature with the right-hand end of the radiator seen in a minimum consumption of electric energy. F i 'ure 2. I My invention further consists of a novel Figure, 5 represents a vertical section on electric radiator in which liquid hollow the hue 5-5, Figure 3. columns are in communication with each Figure 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, other and with a base chamber in which are a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elelocated the heating coils for heating the vation, of one of the heating elements. 100 liquid, novel means being provided for Figure 7 represents a section on line 7-7 mounting the thermostatic device in thermal of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents an end'view of Fig-. ure 6.

Figure 9 represents a section on line 99 of Figure 5. Figure 10 represents a section on line 1010 of Figure 5.

Figure 11 represents a section on line 1111 of Figure 5, certain of the parts bein shown in elevation.

igure 12 represents a section on line 1212 of Figure 5.

Figure 13 represents, in detached position, a perspective view of the head and tubes containing the electric heating elements.

Figure 14 represents a perspective view of the upper air tube in detached position.

Figure 15 represents a perspective view of the thermostat in detached position.

Figure 16 represents a perspective view of an insulating core removed from the unit seen in Figure 13.

Figure 17 represents a wiring diagram showing the connections from the heating coils to the thermostat.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings- 1 designates my novel construction of electric radiator, the same comprising the radiator sections 2, which are of substantially the same construction and are held in assembled position by the upper threaded nipples 3 and the lower enlarged threaded nipples 4, whereby an enlarged transverse lower chamber 5 is formed for the reception of the unit comprising the heating coil holders 6 and their adjuncts, which are shown as six in number, although it will be evident that the number of these may be increased or diminished, according'to requirements.

Each of said holders comprises an outer tubular casing or brass tubing 7 closed at one end, as indicated at 8, and open at the other end. Within each tubing or casing 7 is inserted the hollow or tubular insulating casing 9, within which is contained the core or insulation 10, about which latter is wound the heating coil 11, the latter being contained between the insulating elements 9 and 10 and its outer terminals 12 and 13 projecting as shown in Figure 6, so as to enable the desired electrical connections to be made. As the construction and manner of assem bling each of the heating coils with respect to their insulating core and casing is the same, a description of one will suflice for all. The core 10 is provided with the head 9*, see Figures 6 and 16 and, as will be seen from the left of Figure 5, the head 9 projects a short distance beyond the tubing 7 and passes through a hole in an insulating disc or plate 14, in proximity to which is an outer insulating plate or disc 15 upon which the various electrical connections and binding posts are supported so as to be readily accessible, as will be understood from F igures 5 and 17.

The left hand ends of the plurality of outer casings or tubings 7, which constitute the enclosures for the heating elements are secured or brazed in the outer wall 16 of the head 17, which is mounted in the outer lower portion of the left-hand radiator section 17*, as will be understood from Figure 5, the inner or right hand portion of said head being of reduced diameter and threaded, as indicated at 18, so as to engage the lower contiguous portions of the outer left-hand sections so as to couple them together and form a seal to prevent liquid entering the lefthand radiator section 17 seen in Figure 5, a tight joint being effected by means of the gasket 16*.

I have shown the tubes 7 containing the heating coils and their adjuncts as being preferably six in number and by assembling them in the detachable head 17, the tubes and head and the heating coils within said tubes can be withdrawn and replaced as a unit, as will be understood from Figure 13, so that any tube and its heating coil is read and instantly accessible for the purposes i1 of inspection, replacement or repair, as w1ll' be understood from Figure 13. The threaded portion 18 serves to couple the two righthand end sections together and the shoulder and gasket 16 seen at the lower left-hand portion of Figure 5 form an effective seal to prevent leakage into the left-hand radiator section 17", which contains the thermostat and the wires leading thereto, to be referred to. The current is conducted into the radiator through the wires 19 and 20, which are insulated as shown at 21 in Figural and connected to a suitable socket as 22, said wires passing through the hole 23 of the outer cap 24 secured to the outer casing 25, so that upon the removal of said cap immediate access is had to all the wiring connections. 7

A suitable switch 26 may be provided as indicated at 26 in Figure 17 from which one wire 27 leads to the member 28 of a thermostat 31 while the other wire 29 leads to a binding post as 30 from which a wire corresponding to the wire 12 leads to one of the heating coils 11.

The thermostatic member 31 is located at the upper left-hand portion of the radiator section 17 as seen in Figures 5, 9 and 10,

tube 42 is of less diameter than from my patent aforesaid and from Figure 17, wherein I have shown the collocation of the six heating coils and the wirin connections therefrom to the outer insu ating disc 15 and to the bottom member 28 of the thermostat 31, which is shown in detail in Figure 15.

The eneral construction of the thermostat 31 st seen in Figure 15 is the same as that seen in my prior patent aforesaid, except that in lieu of arranging the thermostat blades six in a row, I have, for the sake of making the device compact for the purposes intended, arranged the thermostatic contact members 32 in two sets of three each, juxtaposed to and in alignment with each other, the contact arms 32 being formed in tegral with or secured to the depending arms 33 which carry the counterbalance weights 34 which are located past the center of gravity of the pivot of said contact arms to hold the latter normally in contact with the contact posts 35 in electrical connection with the electrical devices which control the thermostat.

36 designates the thermostat plates or springs which contact with the adjusting screws 37 carried by the arms 32. The thermostat 31 is supported in the upper part of the radiator section 17 x by means of arms or brackets 38, and the connection of the wires 39 and 39 which afford electrical communication from the two groups of six heating coils 11 to the thermostat 31 will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the wiring diagram seen in Figure 17 the mode of operation of the thermostat being apparent from the wiring diagram seen in Figure 7 of my Patent No. 1,391,329, and requiring no further detailed description.

40 designates a head having the threaded extension 41 which forms a coupling connection for the upper left-hand portions of the two left-hand radiator sections, as will be best understood from Figure 5, said head having the air tube or tubing 42 secured therein, theopposite end of said tubing being closed as indicated at 43, said tubing serving as an air tube and said upper head 40, together with the lower head 17, serving as a closure to keep liquid out of the lefthand radiator section 17*, which is thus isolated from the other radiator sections, as will be understood from Figure 5. The air the nipples 3, as will be understood from Figure 5, so that the circulation of the liquid through the upper portion of the radiator is, not impeded.

The outer or left-hand end of the air tube 42 is constructed as seen in Figure 14, so that by the application of a suitable wrench the tube can be screwed into place.

,tional expense,

The radiator sections, with the exception of the left-hand section l7 seen in Figure 5, are filled with a suitableheating medium, such asoil, as indicated at 44, and each radiator section is also filled with clay spheres or marbles, as indicated at 45, contained within the radiator columns 46.

In equiaping my novel radiator for the market, t e parts are first assembled substantially as seen in Figure 5, with the oil or liquid heating element 44 supplied thereto and clay marbles 45 constituting refractory bodies. Before scaling up the openings, the electrical energy is turned into the coils and the liquid allowed to heat to a greater temperature with all of the coils in active use than under actual working conditions. As the heat increases in the radiator, the liquid expands and the excessof the liquid and air is allowed to drain or escape from the radiator. When the excess temperature, say 250 degrees Fahr. has been reached in testing the radiator, it is then sealed and allowed to cool. The liquid, in cooling, shrinks to its normal density, thus creating an empty space or vacuum in the radiator.

Thus, when the radiator is not in opera tion, it is under vacuum and when the radiator is in actual working use, not create a pressure. The function of the vacuum is to enable the oil or other heating liquid element employed to circulate more freely and it will heat, as is known, more readily under vacuum than under pressure, whereby I am enabled to effect a considerable saving of electrical energy.

It will be apparent that by the employment of the clay products or marbles, 45, these marbles, being round, do not entirely fill the hollow columns in the radiator sections, but leave enough space for the liquid and in heating the liquid, ample space is assured for the circulation.

The function of these clay marbles is, first, to reduce the quantity of oil that it would take to fill the hollow radiator columns, there being present a smaller quantity of liquid to heat, consequently it takes less electrical energy to bring the temperature of the heating element to the predetermined heat, thereby effecting a saving in the cost of operation; second, it takes less electrical energy to keep a small amount of liquid at a predetermined temperature than it does a larger quantity, thus effecting a. saving in the cost of operation; third, the clay products or marbles create a latent or storage heat, whereby I obtain without any addia saving of electrical energy and also acquire an additional amount of heat without any additional cost, when the electrical energy is turned off.

When the electrical energyis turned into the coils, the liquid heats to the predeterthe liquid does,

mined temperature and the marbles also absorb heat to the same temperature of the liquid, then when the electrical energy is turned oif, if it were not for the marbles, this body of liquid would cool quickly.

The action on the temperature of the space heated is as follows The circulation of air around the radiator draws off the heat from the cast iron radiator and in doing this naturally cools the temperature of the liquid and due to the fact that I have present an inner column of marbles or clay products, this liquid is supplied with additional heat, which under ordinary conditions does not occur.

I have found by actual tests that when the radiator is filled with oil only, it takes nearly one hour to heat up and 25 minutes to cool down to the temperature of the space heated. hen the marbles are also placed in the hollow columns of the radiator, it only takes 23 minutes to bring the radiator to the same temperature and one hour to cool down to the temperature of the room.

Special attention is called to the fact that by the provision of the enlarged bottom chamber 5, I am enabled to employ larger tubes 7 to hold the cores 10 and their heating coils 11 thus increasing the heating surface of the-coil holders which come in contact with the liquid, because it is well known that the larger the heating surface that comes in contact with any volume of liquid, a greater economy is attained in the heating of said volume of liquid.

From my novel construction of coil holder, it will be evident that any one or more of the coils 11 can be replaced without a total lossof the entire heating unit or element and one or more of the coils can be readily detached for inspection, replacement or repair, which is a very important feature affecting the practical cost of maintenance.

It will be understood from the foregoing that by my present invention. I have devised an electric radiator adapted to contain a suitable liquid which is subjected to the action of a heating unit comprising a plurality of heating coils and that by using a clay product in conjunction with liquid used a storage of heat or latent heat is obtained.

These coils are so arranged as to be energized and de-energized step by step by individual thermostats controlled by the temperature of the liquid and adjusted to be cut out at different degrees of temperature, so that the radiator can be accurately and automatically controlled within redeter mined ranges of temperature an will be automatically controlled in such a manner that any predetermined temperature can be maintained with a minimum consumption of electric current.

The upper ortion of the left-hand radiator section 1 x is provided with a suitable detachable case 47 cover 48, so that on t e removal of said case the thermostat 31 is readily accessible and on the removal ofthe left-hand radiator segiion 17", the air tube 42 is readily acces- Sl e.

Upon the removal of the outer cap or bottom plate 24 of the outer casing 25, the head 17 and tubes 7, comprising the heating unit 6 are readily accessible, as is evident, so

that all the parts of my novel radiator are convenient of access at all times.

It will be further understood from the foregoing that I have devised an electrical radiator adapted to contain a suitable liquid, which is subjected to the action of a heating unit comprising a pluralit of heating coils, which are arranged to eenergized and de-encrgized step by. step by individual thermostats controlled by the temperature of the liquid and adjusted to be cut out at different degrees of temperature so that the radiator can be accurately and automatically controlled within predetermined ranges of temperature and Wlll be automatically controlled in such manner that any predetermined temperaturecan be maintained with a minimum consum tion of electrical current.

The field of usel ulness of this heating system is very large and it can be installed wherever an electric service line is available. In a house containing small apartments, one in each apartment will be suflicient. This system renders it unnecessary to employ heaters in the basement and to employ piping in the basement and through the walls and under the floors of the building. There is nothlng to freeze up or leak. It is absolutely noiseless in action. Flues or vents are not needed. The expenses incident to employing a anitor or engineer and the consumption of fuel, wood, oil or gas are dispensed with, as well as the attendant dirt. and dust from such operation. It is available for immediate use at any time of the year and at any time of the day or night. t is optional with every occupant of the house in every separate room to have heat or be without it as he desires. Each tenant pays for what he gets and no more. The owner is relieved from any annoyance or expense. These are a few of the advantages in an apartment house and these advantages apply also to any habitation of man.

It can be installed in a tent, a camp, a bunk-house in the woods, on a ship, in the basement or attic, injthe depths of a mine or tunnel, in a palace or a hovel, in a bungalow, a cottage, a farm-house, a summer camp in the mountains, a garage, a harm, a store or oflice, and other places too numerous to mention in detail. The radiator is portable and can be plugged in any light socket and it can be manually transported and used by the owner wherever the occasion requires.

rovided with a front.

the-service is two cents per k. w. h. it will cost approximately about one twentieth of a cent per hour for a foot of radiation to maintain. a temperature of 180. If the climate is severe, it takes more feet of radia-' tion for the radiator, and the milder the climate, the smaller will be the amount of radiating surface to warm a given space.

While I have referred to the liquid heat-- ing element as being preferably oil and to the spherical heating elements as being clav marbles, it will be apparent that other equivalent liquid and solid heating elements may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful electrically heated radiator which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above de scription, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that such embodiment is-susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A radiator including a closed chamber, a heating liquid partially filling the chamber with the remaining space therein under vacuum pressure, an electrical heating element in the bottom portion of the chamber and submerged in the liquid therein, said heating element having means for connection with a source of current supply and affording a. fluid circulating space surrounding it, and relatively globular refractory bodies in the chamber and around the heating element in the fluid circulating space, said bodies being in contact and providing a fluid circulating space between and around them.

2. An electrically heated radiator, including a plurality of spaced hollow heat radiating sections, supporting means for the sections, nipples connecting the sections near the top and bottom and establishing interior communication between the sections, the bottom nipples being larger than the top nipples, a plurality of electrical heating elements extending through the lower portions of the sections and bottom nipples, a heating liquid in the sections and only partially filling the same when cool, the remaining space within the sections being under a vacuum pressure, and globular clay bodles in certain of the radiator sections to reduce the quantity of liquid required, provide circulation space for the liquid therearound and provide for the storage of latent heat.

3. An electric radiator, comprising a plurality of sections all excepting an outer section being adapted to receive a liquid heating element, an air tube closed at one end and open at the other end and provided with a. threaded head adapted to couple the upper portion of two outer sections together, a heating unit containing electric heating coils and having a threaded head coupling the lower portion of said two outer sections together, and a liquid heating element contained in said sections except the outer section, the latter being isolated from the other sections.

4. An electric radiator, comprising a plurality of sections all except-ing an outer section being adapted to receive a liquid heating element, an air tube closed at one end and open at the other and provided with a threaded head adapted to couple the upper portion of two outer sections together, a heating unit containing electric heating coils and having a, threaded head coupling the lower portion of said two outer sections together, and a liquid heating element contained in said sections except the outer section, the latter being isolated from the other sections, in combination with refractory bodies contained in said liquid element and adapted to store latent heat.

5. An electric radiator, comprising a plurality of sections all excepting an outer sec tion being adapted to receive a liquid heating element, an air tube closed at one end and open at the other and provided with a threaded head adapted to couple the upper portion of two outer sections together, a heating unit containing electric heat-ing coils and having a threaded head coupling the lower portion of said two outer sections-together, and a liquid heating element contained in said sections except the outer section, the latter beingisolated from the other sections.

6. An electric radiator, comprising a plurality of sections all excepting an outer section being adapted to receive a liquid heating element, an air tube closed at one end and open at the other and provided with a threaded head adapted to couple the upper portion of two outer sections together, a heating unit containing electric heating coils and having a threaded head coupling the lower portion of said two outer sections together, and a liquid heating element contained in said sections except the outer section, the latter being isolated from the other sections, in combination with refractory bodies, contained in said liquid element and adapted to store latent heat.

7. In an electric radiator, a plurallty of hollow sections adapted to receive a liquid heating element, coupling devices for the upper and lower portionsof said sections, the lower coupling devices being of greater area than the upper coupling devices, whereby an enlarged chamber is formed at the bottom of said sections, an electric heating unit located in said chamber at the bottom of said sections and comprising a head having a plurality of tubes open at their outer ends and closed at their inner ends, insulating linings for each of said tubes, an insulating core contained in each of said linings, a heating coil wound around each of said cores and contained between said linings and cores, an insulating disk placediagainst the outer surface ofsaid head and? having the outer ends of said cores passing therethrough, an outer insulating disk through which the terminals of said coils pass, binding posts on said outer disks, means for ISO- lating the outer section from the other sections, and a liquid heating element contained in all of said radiator sections except said isolated section.

8. In an electric radiator, a plurality of hollow sections adapted to receive a liquid heating element, coupling devices for the upper and lower portions of said sections, the lower coupling devices being of greater area than the upper coupling devices, whereby an enlarged chamber is formed at the bottom of said sections, an electric heating unit located in said chamber at the bottom of said sections and comprising a head having a plurality of tubes open at their outer ends and closed at their inner ends, insulating linings for each of said tubes, an insulating core contained in each of said linings, a heating coil wound around each of said cores and contained between said linings and cores, an insulating disk placed against the outer surface of said head and having the outer ends of said cores passing therethrough, an outer insulating disk through which the terminals of said coils pass, means 7 for isolating the outer radiator section from the other sections, said insulated disks and head being also contained in said outer isolated section, and liquid heating elements contained in said radlator sections except saidisolated section, said elements comprising a liquid and refractory bodies contained in said liquid.

9. In an electric radiator, a plurality of sections coupled together and provided with an enlarged chamber at the bottom, an electric heating element positioned in said chamber and comprising a head having tubes open at one end and closed at the other ends secured therein, an insulating lining for each through which the outer ends of said cores pass, an outer insulating dis: abutting the outer ends of said cores, an outer radiator section isolated from the other radiator sections, an air tube open at one end and closed at the other, said air tube and head having threaded portions serving as couplings for the two outer radiator sections, and a liquid heating element located in all of said sections except the outer isolated section.

110. In an electric radiator, a plurality of sections coupled together and provided with an enlarged chamber at the bottom, an electric heating element positioned in said chamber and comprising a head having tubes open at one end and closed at the other ends secured therein, an insulating lining for each of said tubes,an insulating core for each of said tubes, a heating coil mounted on each of said cores, an inner insulating disk in proximity to the outer portion of said head through which the outer ends of said cores pass, an outer insulating disk abutting against the outer ends of said cores, an outer radiator section isolated from the other radiator sections, an air tube, said air tube and head having threaded portions serving as couplings for the two outer radiator sections, and heating elements in all of said sections except the outer isolated section composed of a liquid and refractory bodies in said liquid for creating latent heat.

11. In an electric radiator, a plurality of radiator sections coupled together and provided with an enlarged chamber at the bottom, an electric heating element in said bottom chamber and comprising a head having tubes therein open at one end and closed at their other ends, an insulating lining for each of said tubes, an insulatin core for each of said tubes, a heating 0011' on each of said cores, an inner insulating disk in proximity to the outer portion of said head through which the outer ends of said cores pass, a second outer insulating disk abutting against the outer ends of said cores, an outer radiator section isolated from the other radiator sections, an air tube open at one end and closed at the other, the outer end of said air tube serving as a coupling for the two outer radiator sections, a liquid heating element contained in all of said sections except the outer isolated section, and clay marbles contained within said radiator sections and surrounded by said liquid heating element.

12. In an electric radiator, a plurality of radiator sections coupled together and rovided with an enlarged chamber at the ottom an electric heating element in, said botttm chamber and comprising a. head havmg tubes therein open at one end and closed at the other ends, an insulating, lining for each of said tubes, an i sulating core for each of said tubes, 21 hea ing/coil on each of said cores, an inner insulating disk in proximity to the outer portion of said head through which the outer ends of said cores pass, a second outer insulating disk abutting against the outer ends of said cores and provided with binding posts, said coils being connected to said binding posts, an outer radiator section isolated from the other radiator sections, a tube serving as a coupling heating element contained in all of tlons except the outer isolated section, and 1 for the two outer radiator sections, a liquid said secrefractory bodies contained within said radiator sections and surrounded by said li uid heating element, in combination with a ttom removable plate giving access to said disks.

EDMUND B. LENNIG. Witnesses:

B. D. CoRRIoAN, W. R. CASTEGNETI. 

